Katz-Lavelle rematch set for 2014?

Easily the most contentious campaign of the 2012 election season could return for Round II in less than eighteen months, with former Sen. Michael Katz, a Centreville Democrat, suggesting he’s not through with public life.

Former Sen. MIchael Katz

The latest comes from Celia Cohen over at Delaware Grapevine, who reports that Katz “has not ruled out another try for state senator. He said he has already been approached about it, as well as about possibly running statewide.”

Both live in the wealthy 4th Senate district, which spans portions of Greenville, Centreville, Hockessin and Pike Creek.

After a single term in the Delaware Senate, Katz was ousted in November by then-House Minority Leader Greg Lavelle, who decided on a Senate run after the Democratic-led redistricting process bumped Lavelle from his district. Also because of redistricting, Lavelle’s Senate term, which would normally last four years, expires in just two.

In the weeks leading up the November election, Katz and Lavelle spent months trading a series of aggressive campaign mailers that targeted the lawmakers’ records in Dover and – toward the end of the race – turned personal.

Katz’s wife recorded a radio advertisement arguing that Lavelle was exploiting her husband’s December 2010 ski lift accident by lobbing criticisms about committee attendance. (Though it was unclear what one had to do with the other. Update: Many of the missed meetings occurred in 2012, though Katz said his absence was “health related.”)

And Lavelle sent out mailers featuring several former partners of the anesthesiologist Katz who had since turned against him. A rematch, to be sure, would make the 2014 mid-terms more interesting.

About Jonathan Starkey

Jonathan Starkey covers state government and politics for The News Journal. He previously worked on the business desk, writing about DuPont, AstraZeneca and insurance issues. Starkey, a native of Dover, has been with the paper since February 2010. He lives in Middletown. Follow Starkey on Twitter @jwstarkey, and email tips or feedback to jstarkey@delawareonline.com.

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